Cousins had 27 points (7G / 20A) in 81 games with the Coyotes last year and signed a one-year, $1.0M AAV deal with the Canadiens this summer. Cousins will make his Montreal debut on the fourth line with Nate Thompson and Nick Suzuki.
Hellebuyck surrendered four goals on 35 shots in the Jets loss to the Coyotes on Tuesday. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for Hellebuyck, who is now 3-2-0 with a 2.82 GAA and .919 SV% in his first five games. On Thursday he draws a great home matchup vs. an Islanders team that is tied for 26th in goal-scoring (2.33 GF/gm) through six games.
Folin recorded on assist, two shots and a plus-2 rating while appearing in the last four games. On Thursday he will be replaced by rookie Cale Fleury, who will be playing in his third career NHL games.
Fleury has been a healthy scratch for the last four games but will replace Christian Folin in the lineup on Thursday. Fleury has no points and one shot in his first two career NHL games.
Hischier is day-to-day with an upper-body injury that he suffered mid-way through Monday’s game. With Hischier sidelined, rookie Jack Hughes will be promoted to the Devils’ first line between Taylor Hall and Kyle Palmieri.
Rask stopped all 31 of the shots that he faced in the Bruins shutout win over the Devils last Saturday. Rask and Jaroslav Halak continue to split time and both have been outstanding. Rask comes into Thursday’s game at 3-0-0 with a 1.33 GAA, .957 SV% and one shutout in three games. Tonight he faces the Lightning, who he was 1-3-0 with a 3.55 GAA and .860 SV% in four games against last season.
Kampfer made his season debut against the Ducks on Monday but Connor Clifton will draw back in to replace him on third-pair. This will likely be a common theme for Kampfer this season.
Clifton was a healthy scratch on Monday but will replace Steven Kampfer against the Lightning. Clifton has not registered a point while averaging 15:30 TOI/gm in five games this season.
Lindholm has been a healthy scratch for the last four games but will replace David Krejci (upper-body) in the lineup on Thursday. Lindholm will centre the third line with Danton Heinen and Karson Kuhlman on his wings.
Krejci was hurt in Monday’s game against the Ducks and will miss Thursday’s game with an upper-body injury. Par Lindholm will draw into the lineup to replace Krejci and Charlie Coyle will move up to the second line. Krejci is day-to-day.
Blackwood allowed three goals on 22 shots in the Devils’ 4-3 shootout loss to the Oilers last Thursday. Cory Schneider started the last two games but Blackwood will start tonight vs. the Rangers. Somehow the Rangers have only played in three games but their offence has been hot to start the season. This could be a high-scoring affair, making Blackwood a low-end starter on a nine-game slate.
Reimer allowed three goals on 35 shots in the Hurricanes loss to Columbus lat Saturday. It was Reimer’s first loss of the season and moved him to 2-1-0 with a 2.65 GAA and .933 SV% through three games. The Sharks have struggled in their first six games, but winning a road game in San Jose on the tail-end of a back-to-back is a difficult task for Reimer.
Hutchinson stopped all five shots that he faced after replacing Frederik Andersen in the Maple Leafs blowout loss to the Lightning last Thursday. In his first start, Hutchinson gave up five goals on 42 shots and draws his tough road matchup in Washington. The Capitals have started the year at 3-2-2 while averaging 3.14 GF/gm (16th in the NHL).
Krejci left Monday’s game against the Ducks after playing just 4:43 TOI and did not return. He wasn’t on the ice for Wednesday’s session but head coach Bruce Cassidy believes there’s still a chance that he suits up vs. the Lightning. Charlie Coyle will move up to the second line if Krejci is unavailable.
Thomas has been sidelined by an upper-body injury since the Blues’ season opener. After completing Wednesday’s practice session, head coach Craig Berube told reporters that Thomas could play Thursday. Thomas will likely replace Mackenzie MacEachern in the lineup if he’s available to play.
Bitetto was forced to leave Tuesday’s game vs. The Coyotes after logging 9:05 TOI. Luckily for the Jets, they had an impressive rookie in Ville Heinola sitting on the bench waiting to draw back into the lineup on Thursday.
The rookie defenseman has been a healthy scratch for the last three games but will be back in against the Islanders. Heinola is closing in on nine games played, which will force the Jets to keep him and burn the first year of his ELC or send him down and keep the ELC intact. So far, he has one goal on eight shots and two assists while playing 19:16 ATOI in five games.
Connauton did not appear in a game with the Avalanche during his call-up. With Ian Cole back from offseason hip surgery, Connauton was no longer needed as a reserve defenseman. He heads back to the Eagles, where he had no points, two PIMS and a minus-4 rating in two games.
